Production Engineer (MDA)

Mission Driven Research; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Driven Research is seeking a detail-driven Production Engineer to support the MDA Targets and Countermeasures team in Huntsville, AL. You will verify that flight hardware and propulsion are designed, fabricated, integrated, and tested to baseline standards, applying strict mission assurance frameworks including AIAA S-113 and related standards.

Responsibilities include design and build verification, technical reviews, MRB/FRB oversight, QTP/ATP verification, and on-site witnessing during

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in STEM field with 7+ years supporting missile defense or large DoD programs.
• Strong knowledge of AIAA S-113 and related launch/flight vehicle criteria.
• Ability to interpret drawings, schematics, ECOs/ECPs and manufacturing instructions.

Responsibilities

• Audit prime contractor engineering designs, drawing packages, manufacturing processes and assembly records to ensure compliance with baseline specs and flight-worthiness requirements.
• Apply AIAA S-113 and related standards to assess ordnance, explosive devices, pyrotechnic separation mechanisms, pressure vessels and subsystems across all design and production phases.
• Participate in technical baseline reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, FRR) with objective evidence supporting mission assurance criteria before integration and flight test.
• Evaluate MRB dispositions, deviations, and waivers; oversee FRBs to determine root cause and ensure CAPA actions.
• Review and approve QTPs/ATPs and test results; serve as on-site engineering witness during critical testing events.
• Lead IPT meetings with supplier partners to maintain schedule alignment, track deliverables and drive rapid technical problem resolution.

Skills

Security Clearance

Education & Experience

Standards Expertise

Technical Review Skills

Communication Skills

Education

BS in STEM

Job description

MDR is seeking a detail-driven Production Engineer to support the Targets and Countermeasures team of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). In this role, you will be directly responsible for verifying that critical missile flight hardware and propulsion systems are designed, fabricated, integrated, and tested strictly in accordance with baseline standards. You will evaluate prime contractor design and manufacturing processes, conduct technical reviews, and enforce compliance with industry mission assurance frameworks-specifically AIAA S-113 (Criteria for Explosive Systems and Devices on Space and Launch Vehicles) and related aerospace standards (such as AIAA S-114, AIAA S-080/081, SMC-S-016, or AFSPCMAN 91-710).

What You'll Be Doing:

• Design & Build Verification: Audit prime contractor engineering designs, drawing packages, manufacturing processes, and assembly records to ensure end items are built strictly to approved baseline specifications and flight-worthiness requirements.
• AIAA S-113 & Standards Compliance: Apply AIAA S-113 (and related space/launch vehicle standards) to assess ordnance, explosive devices, pyrotechnic separation mechanisms, pressure vessels, and mechanical/propulsion subsystems across all design and production phases.
• Peer Reviews & Milestone Gates: Participate in technical baseline reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, FRR), ensuring objective evidence supports mission assurance criteria before moving to integration and flight test.
• Nonconformance & Root Cause Analysis: Evaluate Material Review Board (MRB) dispositions, deviations, and waivers. Oversee Failure Review Boards (FRBs) to determine root cause and ensure proper corrective/preventative actions (CAPA) are implemented.
• Hardware Acceptance & Verification: Review and approve Qualification and Acceptance Test Procedures (QTPs/ATPs) and corresponding test results. Serve as the on-site engineering witness during critical testing events as required.
• Supplier Integration & Oversight: Lead Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings with supplier partners to maintain rigorous schedule alignment, track deliverables, and drive rapid technical problem resolution.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Security Clearance: Active DoD Secret
• Education & Experience: Bachelor of Science in STEM Field with 7+ years supporting missile defense or large-scale, complex DoD programs. Strong preference for Aerospace, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering.
• Standards Expertise: Demonstrated working knowledge and practical application of AIAA S-113 (or closely related launch/flight vehicle criteria such as AIAA S-114, SMC-S-016, TOR standards, or NASA-STD-8739/AFSPCMAN equivalents).
• Technical Review Skills: Proven ability to interpret technical drawings, schematics, engineering change orders (ECOs/ECPs), and manufacturing work instructions to verify build integrity.
• Communication: Strong technical writing and presentation skills, capable of defending engineering assessments to government program leadership and contractor teams.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Direct experience supporting MDA programs (e.g., Targets and Countermeasures, GMD, THAAD, Aegis BMD).
• Hands-on experience evaluating pyrotechnic devices, initiation systems, electro-explosive devices (EEDs), solid rocket motors, or high-reliability electro-mechanical assemblies.

Preferred Majors: Aerospace, Mech, Electrical Engineer

Position Requirements

• Clearance Required
  • Secret
• Position Level
  • Sr.
• FT/PT
  • Full Time
• Years Related Work Experience
  • 7
• Education Level Required
  • 4-yr

Mission Driven Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.